East Jefferson General Hospital continues to bleed as it looks for a lease partner, according to an internal audit, as reported by WWL-TV. The hospital last year posted a $17.5 million operating loss and cut 100 positions, according to the report, although it's not clear the extent to which the job losses stem from layoffs, attrition or both.

East Jefferson's preferred lessee, Hospital Corp. of America, withdrew from consideration in February and Ochsner Health System followed suit in April. In March, Moody's Investors Service downgraded East Jefferson's credit rating to junk-bond status.

Jefferson Parish Councilman-at-Large Chris Roberts has drafted a resolution requiring the hospital to submit plans for finding a new lease partner by Aug. 6. West Jefferson Medical Center, meanwhile, is preparing to negotiate a lease with LCMC Health.